Heather shook her head. “Forget that. Molly knows you’d never do anything to hurt her.” She handed Abby another book bag. “But I do have a way I think you can help her.”
Abby took the book bag and peeked inside. “What’s this?”
“It’s the
Gentlewoman’s Guide
. I’m sure our mystery is nothing more than Smitten lore, but I thought with your research skills, we might at least make sure. Do you mind?”
Abby took the book, an antique leather-bound volume, which appeared crumbly and fragile in its age. “Not at all. I’ll see what I can find. Do I know everything I need to?”
“There’s not much to tell. I found it at the book fund-raiser for Molly’s family. It was written by Curtis’s ancestor, Pearl Chambers. You know the Smitten folklore about the gold in the foothills below Sugarcreek Mountain?”
Abby scanned the book. “What kind of town historian would I be without knowing that story?”
“Finding this book got me to thinking. By all accounts, Pearl was no dummy.”
“No. She was very respected in town.”
“It’s said that her husband, Otis, forbade her to mine the gold she found. Do you think that’s so?”
“I don’t know if it’s true. I do know if there was a cave on that land, it would have been uncovered by now. When the ski resort was built there was so much excavation.”
“But what if the gold was already gone?”
Abby shrugged. “It seems like a long shot.”
“You said yourself that Pearl was a respected citizen in town.”
“She was, but she had a falling out with her daughter, from what I understand.”
Abby opened the book, relishing the feel of the old volume. The romance of a simpler time captured her imagination.
Maybe there would be wisdom for a woman like her who had chosen a life of caregiving over romance. “‘Never hang your pantaloons publicly,’” she read. “That’s some practical advice. I don’t see anything here about the gold legend.”
“No, I know. That’s the point,” Heather said.
“How am I supposed to look something up that’s not there?”
Lia and Molly had arrived and were walking toward them.
“What’s that?” Molly asked.
Heather shoved the book back into its bag. “Nothing. I just needed a professional opinion on a book I purchased.”
Abby didn’t understand why the book was a secret, or what it had to do with the legend of Smitten’s gold, but she could tell by the way Heather was acting that there was a lot more to the story than she could share at the moment.
“We’ll talk about it later,” Heather whispered.
“Let’s eat, shall we?” Lia held her arm out to the table, and Abby’s stomach rumbled as the scent of dinner wafted toward her.
“We have plans for you tonight.”
“Me? Yes, we’ve finally finished
Gone with the Wind
.”
Lia shook her head. “We all know Molly didn’t read it. It’s too long for her.”
“I did so!” Molly said before she backed down. “Well, some of it, anyway. But even the movie’s too long for me. I have to skip all those boring war parts.”
The women all laughed and filled their plates with chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob, and filled their Ball-jar glasses with sweet tea.
“I think maybe you like this book because it brings out your inner Scarlett.”
“I don’t think I have an inner Scarlett,” Abby said honestly, scooping up a helping of mashed potatoes.
“You might be right.” Molly looked at Abby’s feet. “You’re wearing orthopedic shoes.”
“They’re not special shoes,” Abby protested. “They’re just comfortable. I’m on my feet all day.”
“It doesn’t matter if they actually
are
orthopedic; they look orthopedic,” Lia explained. “Look at your gorgeous calves. We know you’re on your feet all day.”
“The girls and I were talking about you this week,” Heather said. “We think maybe it’s time we abandoned the librarian look for something more up-to-date.”
The women sat down in the chairs, their laps all covered by plates full of the night’s dinner.
“When’s the last time you went on a date, Abby?” Heather asked.
“Does it matter?” Abby said.
“It’s not like you to pick a romance novel,” Molly said.
“It’s
Gone with the Wind
. It’s not really a romance.” Somehow she felt whatever her friends were up to, they weren’t going to be talking much about the book tonight. “Didn’t you like it?” she ventured.
The girls all looked at one another as if they shared some dark secret, and she felt completely alone. The rest of the women were happily eating their potluck and seemed oblivious to what her friends were up to.
“Will someone tell me what’s going on?”
“Last week when you couldn’t make it to book club and
we were discussing the characters, we thought how much like Melanie you are. Melanie was always doing for everyone else. She saw the best in everyone else and never seemed to take the time to worry about herself.”
Abby shrugged. “Melanie’s the nice one. Is there a problem with that?”
“Of course not,” Lia said. “It’s just we worry about you taking care of your mother and how little you’re getting out.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re too young to
become
your mother,” Heather said.
“So after club tonight, we’re heading to Sparkle. They’re keeping it open just for us. We’re going to get you a few new things.”
“Why? I don’t go anywhere. I don’t need anything new.” Abby felt like a trapped animal. Did her friends know Wyatt had asked her to coffee? Was he in on their little conspiracy?
“You haven’t been the same since your mom stopped driving,” Lia continued. “We’re worried that if you stay like this, our book study is going to become the highlight of your week.”
It
was
the highlight of her week. “What’s wrong with that?”
Her friends looked at one another again.
“There’s a lot wrong with that. I mean, we love you and all, but we’re not exactly party central,” Molly said.
“I don’t mind that. I’m an introvert.”
The way her friends were looking at her, Abby had a feeling that book club as she knew it was over. When those three had an agenda, nothing was going to stop them, and if they’d decided she was Melanie and needed a bit more
Scarlett, she wasn’t going anywhere without a touch of red.
“Does this have anything to do with Wyatt?”
“Wyatt Tanner?” Molly asked. “Why? Is there some reason it might?”
“No reason.”
“I knew there was something there!” Molly said. “When he works for me, he always brings up the library! He’s tried to discuss books with me, but I tell him if it weren’t for you girls, I’d exist happily on Dr. Seuss and Captain Underpants with Noah. So go on, spill it!”
“He’s just a library patron.”
Molly, forever lost in her romantic ideals, wouldn’t give up. “I knew we got that message about you and Melanie for a reason. It’s as if the road is being paved for romance, and we’re your fairy godmothers!”
“It’s absolutely nothing like that. He was at the library tonight, kept me late, and offered to buy me coffee. He wants to discuss
Persuasion
.”
Her friends giggled.
“Is something funny?” she asked.
“Abby, no man wants to get together to discuss a Jane Austen book unless the librarian is hot.” Heather shook her head. “Sometimes you are so naive.”
“I must have some wisdom if you’re telling me I act too old for my age.”
“Wyatt sees what we do,” Lia intervened. “The sweet, sexy Scarlett within who needs to be rediscovered after smelling like her mother’s Bengay and cornering the market on L.L. Bean sweater sets.”
“What’s wrong with a sweater set?”
Heather groaned.
“It looks like everyone’s about finished with dinner,” Lia said. “Let’s get started on the book discussion, shall we?”
Abby was delighted at the reprieve. At the mention of Wyatt’s name, she’d seen his image flash in her mind and felt the hard thump of her heart. While her mind instinctively knew he was out of reach, her emotions couldn’t quite believe it. Scarlett O’Hara she was not.
Her friends sat around her, each of them looking at her smugly. Something told her to be afraid. Very afraid. And besides, she liked the smell of Bengay. It was refreshing.
Always maintain and improve upon one’s appearance. Love is not, in fact, blind.
P
EARL
C
HAMBERS
,
The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship
CHAPTER THREE
S
parkle was a boutique on Lookaway Lane. The shop only displayed a few select items that dotted what appeared to be a lavender-hued living room. Abby supposed the idea behind the sparsely populated store was for the shopkeeper to assist the patrons in selecting the right items for the individual’s needs. That kind of expertise came at a price, and that’s the reason she had never entered Sparkle before that evening.
In truth, she didn’t particularly have specialized needs, other than comfortable shoes and clothes that allowed her to move freely to shelve books and assist her mother. The collection of fancy slinky dresses seemed more than a waste of money—it was a waste of her friends’ time. But she didn’t dare water down their excitement.
“I cannot wait to see that figure in something that fits!” Heather said.
“I don’t know that this is such a great idea.” Abby halted at the door. “I won’t have any place to wear any of these dresses.”
Heather yanked her inside. “It doesn’t matter if you think it’s a great idea. You’re here now. And it’s not about being practical. That’s the problem, you’re too practical and again, I must remind you that you’re not seventy. You’re allowed to make a few mistakes yet.”
“Too practical? As if there could be such a thing.”
“We want our friend to come back to us.” Lia said. “The one who is full of light and love—not Epsom salts.”
“Why does everyone suddenly think I need a make-over?” Abby looked down at her oversized sweater, skirt with an elastic waistband, and of course her black leather shoes—in the middle of Smitten’s summer. “If I had more time in the morning, I’m sure I’d devote more attention to my appearance.”
Heather, Miss Health and Fitness, spoke up. “You’re underestimating what the outside can do for your insides. Healthy living starts on the inside, but the outside can definitely influence your demeanor. Ever since you lost your father, Abby, we’ve watched more of you go away. It’s like all you are is your mother’s caregiver.”
“It’s a full-time job, and I’m doing my duties at the library too. When would I have time to go out and wear a dress like these?”
“You can wear one of these to work,” Heather said. “You’d feel better about yourself, and then maybe you’d have more energy to go out.”
“Remember when we used to go to the movies and sometimes dinner after work?” Lia asked.
“That was before Daddy passed. My mom is already home alone all day long. She needs company.”
“We know,” Molly said. “We don’t want you to give up on your duties. We just want you to not lose yourself while you do them. You know, restore yourself a little. Even if you only wore the dress to church, wouldn’t it be nice to have something new?”
Abby picked up a tag and whistled at the price.
Julia, who was married to the owner of Jake’s Restaurant and owned a spa in town, came out from the back room.
“Julia, what are you doing here?” Abby asked. “Do you work here now?”
“Heather asked Allison if she could keep the store open late tonight, but she couldn’t be here. I was there and volunteered,” Julia said. “If I didn’t have a spa, a shop like this would be my second choice! Jake’s working late anyway.” She motioned toward the sofa. “Have a seat, Abby. Is there a particular color you like?”
“And don’t say brown!” Heather chastised.
“I like navy,” Abby answered sheepishly.
“Navy is good, but I see you in more of a peacock blue.”
Even the word
peacock
brought up visions of fanning herself and strutting her stuff in the library. It seemed absurd.
Julia had lived in New York City, so she brought a chic vibe to Smitten and to her spa. Abby’s vibe was more pragmatic. And to be honest, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d gone shopping for herself. Usually she was content to shop the Lands’ End catalog and circle what she wanted her mother to get her for Christmas.
Julia brought her a sling-back shoe that rested on a small, inch-tall square heel. “These will be easy to spend the day in, and you’ll feel pretty.”
Abby stared at Julia. Somehow she doubted that heels of any sort would make her feel pretty. Uncomfortable, yes; angry, maybe; but definitely not pretty. “Julia, I don’t want to waste your time when you could be at home. I’m not really a fancy dress person.”
“Abby, I’ve done more than a few makeovers in my day, and I wish I could tell you how they revive the soul. This isn’t about what you look like. Your friends know that you’re beautiful inside and out. This is them wanting to make you feel your age again.” Julia rubbed her tummy, which protruded with a few months’ pregnancy.
“Should you be out this late?”
“It’s nine o’clock. The restaurant is open until eleven. Come in the back and try on some of the dresses I’ve pulled for you.” As Abby stood, Julia slipped an arm around her waist. “Do you know how I miss a waist? You have to wear a waistline for me!”
Heather interrupted, “You may as well get started. We’re not letting you go until you’ve picked out at least two dresses and one decent pair of shoes—that your mother wouldn’t wear.”
Would Anne Elliot have been afraid of a new frock? Definitely not.
“But look at these slinky dresses, Heather. These are for honeymooners or couples on romantic getaways. They’re not for librarians with no social life.”
“Ah, but would the librarian have no social life if she dressed like a honeymooner?” Julia asked. “Did you ever think of that?”
“Wyatt Tanner asked her out,” Molly blurted.
“He did not,” Abby protested. “He asked me to coffee.”